Nissan Leaf Ownership Cost Calculator 2026
Pre-filled with real Nissan Leaf specs. Estimate your Nissan Leaf 5-year cost of ownership — depreciation, electricity, insurance, maintenance, loan, and residual value — then compare against same-class rivals side by side.
Year-by-Year Cost Breakdown — Nissan Leaf
| Year | Start Value | Depreciation | Electricity | Insurance | Maint. | Reg | Loan Pmt | Yr Out-of-Pkt | Cumulative | End Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $33,000 | −$7,260 | $584 | $2,200 | $500 | $150 | $6,723 | $10,157 | $16,757 | $25,740 |
| 2 | $25,740 | −$4,620 | $584 | $2,200 | $500 | $150 | $6,723 | $10,157 | $26,914 | $21,120 |
| 3 | $21,120 | −$3,630 | $584 | $2,200 | $500 | $150 | $6,723 | $10,157 | $37,071 | $17,490 |
| 4 | $17,490 | −$2,970 | $584 | $2,200 | $500 | $150 | $6,723 | $10,157 | $47,227 | $14,520 |
| 5 | $14,520 | −$2,310 | $584 | $2,200 | $500 | $150 | $6,723 | $10,157 | $57,384 | $12,210 |
| 5-yr total | — | −$20,790 | $2,918 | $11,000 | $2,500 | $750 | $33,616 | $57,384 | — | $12,210 |
Energy use derived from EPA 111 MPGe. Depreciation uses a ev segment-average retention curve (editable). Figures are estimates for planning, not a quote.
Nissan Leaf — Base Parameters
Powertrain
- Engine40-60 kWh EV Powertrain (Leaf)
- DrivetrainFWD
- Fuelev
- Market years2018-2024
EPA Efficiency
- MPGe (comb)111
- kWh / 100 mi30
- Source year2023
Trims & MSRP
- Base (entry trim)$28,000
- Popular (mid trim)$33,000
- Top (fully loaded)$38,000
Same-Segment Cost Comparison
Every model below is modeled with identical assumptions (Popular trim, 20% down, 5-year loan at the national average new-car APR, 12,000 miles/year, national average tax & insurance). This apples-to-apples view is exclusive to VehCalc — manufacturer sites and KBB do not show it side by side.
| Model | Popular MSRP | 5-Yr Cost to Own | Avg / Year | Residual (5 yr) | Cost / Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf (this car) | $33,000 | $45,174 | $9,035 | $12,210 | $0.75 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EUV | $30,000 | $42,523 | $8,505 | $11,100 | $0.71 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | $29,500 | $42,031 | $8,406 | $10,915 | $0.70 |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | $37,500 | $48,773 | $9,755 | $13,875 | $0.81 |
| Volvo EX30 | $39,000 | $50,314 | $10,063 | $14,430 | $0.84 |
Nissan Leaf Reliability, Fault Codes & Maintenance Specs
Model-specific diagnostic data for the Nissan Leaf (2018-2024 (2nd Gen), 2018-2024): known OBD-II trouble codes, symptom-to-fix mapping, model-year issues, and the factory maintenance specification sheet. Print it and hand it to your technician.
OBD-II fault codes
6 codes logged for this platform, with the cause most often seen on the 40-60 kWh EV Powertrain (Leaf).
| Code | Description | Common cause here | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0AA6 | Hybrid/EV Battery Isolation Fault | HV battery insulation breakdown, coolant leak into pack | High |
| P0AFA | HV Battery System Voltage Low | 12V battery failure preventing contactor closure | High |
| P0D61 | Drive Motor Inverter Performance | Inverter overheating, coolant pump failure | High |
| P1E00 | HV Battery Module Voltage Differential | Degraded battery cell module | Medium |
| U0100 | Lost Communication With ECM/PCM A | Software instability, gateway module reboot | Medium |
| B124E | HVAC Coolant Pump Control Circuit | Coolant pump failure affecting battery thermal management | Medium |
Symptoms, causes & fixes
What owners actually report, what it turns out to be, and what the repair involves.
| Symptom | Root cause | Fix | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| HV battery capacity loss | Battery cell degradation | Battery health diagnostic | 2018-2021 |
| 12V battery failure | 12V degradation | Replace 12V battery | 2018-2021 |
| Range reduction in cold weather | Cold chemistry + cabin heat | Pre-heat while plugged in; use seat heat. | 2018-2024 |
| CHAdeMO charging obsolescence | CHAdeMO connector standard | No fix; use CHAdeMO stations (declining availability). | 2018-2024 |
Model-year issues
Problems tied to a specific production window rather than the whole generation.
| Years | Issue | Fix | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2021 | HV battery capacity loss | Battery health diagnostic; module replacement | Check with dealer |
Common problems owners report
Recurring complaints for this model, summarized from owner-reported fault patterns.
- HV battery degradation
- 12V battery failure
- CHAdeMO charging obsolescence
- Range in cold weather
Factory maintenance specification sheet
Spec-grade values for the Nissan Leaf. Verify against your owner's manual before service.
| Tire size | 215/50R17 |
| Tire pressure (cold) | 36 psi |
| Tire rotation interval | 7,500 mi |
| Brake fluid interval | 30,000 mi |
| 12V battery group | Group H6 |
| Battery cold-cranking amps | 600 CCA |
Powertrain & drivetrain identity
Confirm your exact configuration before ordering parts or booking service.
| Engine / motor | 40-60 kWh EV Powertrain (Leaf) |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Body style | Hatchback |
| Generation | 2018-2024 (2nd Gen) |
| Market years | 2018-2024 |
| Original MSRP range | $28,000-$38,000 |
| Market | US/CA |
Data sources & methodology
- OBD-II code definitionsSAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standardized powertrain diagnostic trouble codes, with platform-specific causes matched against the model in this dataset. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Fuel economy & MPGeU.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy data (fueleconomy.gov), model-year matched where available. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Maintenance specificationsFactory scheduled-maintenance intervals, fluid grades, tire sizes, and battery group sizes compiled per model. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Defects, recalls & technical service bulletinsNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defect and recall records. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
Methodology and citations are maintained by the VehCalc editorial team. Where an official schedule is not yet loaded, results are shown as model estimates and the source is stated as a reference.
Nissan Leaf — Common Ownership Questions
What is the Nissan Leaf 5-year cost of ownership in 2026?
Based on a Popular-trim purchase at $33,000 with a 20% down payment, a 5-year loan at the national average new-car APR, 12,000 miles per year, and national average tax and insurance, the estimated 5-year cost of ownership is $45,174 — about $9,035 per year — with an estimated $12,210 residual value after 5 years. Use the calculator above to tailor it to your state, down payment, and mileage.
How much does a Nissan Leaf depreciate each year?
The Leaf sits in the ev segment. Applying a segment-average retention curve, it is estimated to keep roughly 78% of its value after the first year and 37% after five years. Depreciation is typically the single largest ownership cost, which is why our calculator shows it year by year alongside every other expense.
What is the Nissan Leaf MSRP and which trims are available?
The Leaf ranges from $28,000 (Base (entry trim)) to $38,000 (Top (fully loaded)). Trims shown: Base (entry trim) ($28,000); Popular (mid trim) ($33,000); Top (fully loaded) ($38,000). Select a trim in the calculator to recompute costs instantly.
Is the Nissan Leaf eligible for a federal or state EV tax credit in 2026?
The federal clean-vehicle tax credit ended September 30, 2025, so new EVs no longer qualify at the point of sale in 2026. Some states and local utilities still offer rebates — check your state's page for current incentives. The Leaf's lower energy and maintenance costs help offset the lost federal credit.
What are the Nissan Leaf energy costs?
The Leaf is EPA-rated at 111 MPGe, about 30 kWh per 100 miles. At the 2026 U.S. average of $0.16/kWh that is roughly $2,918 in electricity over 5 years (12,000 miles/year). EVs also skip oil changes, lowering maintenance.
How do Nissan Leaf ownership costs compare with rivals?
See the side-by-side comparison table on this page. We model the Leaf against Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Volvo EX30 using identical assumptions — same annual miles, down payment, and loan terms — so the difference is truly apples-to-apples. That is data the manufacturer's site and KBB do not show side by side.
What are the most common Nissan Leaf problems?
Owners of the Nissan Leaf (2018-2024) most often report: HV battery degradation; 12V battery failure; CHAdeMO charging obsolescence; Range in cold weather. Each is broken down with its root cause and the repair path in the reliability section above.
Which OBD-II codes does the Nissan Leaf throw most often?
The codes logged most frequently for this platform are P0AA6 (Hybrid/EV Battery Isolation Fault), P0AFA (HV Battery System Voltage Low), P0D61 (Drive Motor Inverter Performance). The full list with the cause usually found on the 40-60 kWh EV Powertrain (Leaf) and a low/medium/high severity rating is in the fault-code table above.
Why does my Nissan Leaf hV battery capacity loss?
On this model the usual cause is battery cell degradation. The typical repair is battery health diagnostic (reported on 2018-2021 cars). The symptoms table above lists every reported fault for this platform.
Are there model-year-specific Nissan Leaf issues I should check before buying used?
Yes — 2018-2021 cars are associated with hV battery capacity loss. Recommended action: battery health diagnostic; module replacement Ask the seller or dealer whether this was performed. The model-year table above lists all known production-window issues.
What are the Nissan Leaf service intervals and fluid specs?
Factory spec calls for 215/50R17 tires at 36 psi cold, tire rotation every 7,500 miles, brake fluid every 30,000 miles, and a 12V auxiliary battery of group H6 at 600 CCA. As an EV there is no engine oil or spark plug service. The full spec sheet is above and printable.